Value-stamping machine



Y E. KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 1 Sheets-Sheet lInremar:

Dec. 11, 1934. E. KOMUSIN 1,984,141

VALUE STAMPTNG MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 11,1934. E. KOMUSIN 1,984,141

VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1'7, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 11, 1934.E KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 12 SheetsSheet 4Dec. 11, 1934. E. KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 12She2ts$heet 5 n wm+mu m a i W WW 1L Dec. 11, 1934. s. KOMUSIN VALUESTAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1'7, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 11, 1934.E, KoMusm VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 7Dec. 11, 1934. E. KOMUSlN VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 m113 m MW; 142

12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Dec. '11, 1934. E. KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPING MACHINEFiled June 17, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 mum/0r: W m

Dec. 11, 1934. E. KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPI'NG MACHINE Filed June 17, 1929 12Sheets-Sheet l0 //7 re n for:

Dec. 11, 1934. E. KOMUSIN 1,984,141

- VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Filed June 1'7, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 mm atllllllllll l l llllllllll w mnu fl m l mummiimmnm mull-Inn 11, 1934. E.KOMUSIN VALUE STAMPING MACHINE Fil ed June 17, 1929 12 Sheets-Sheet 12[Illlllll ml fl lm enfor:

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES VALUE-STAMPING MACHINE ErichKomnsin, Berlin,

mesne assignments,

Magdeburg, Germany Germany, assignor, by to Johannes Paasch,

Application June 17, 1929, Serial No. 371,453 In Germany October 14,1924 13 Claims. (Cl. 235-101) This invention relates to a vlaue-stampingmachine usable, for example, as a franking machine, with a removableprepayment key in which, after the sum to which the machine is set bythe prepayment key, is exhausted, the machine becomes automaticallylocked against further use.

Machines are already known in which, for the purpose of an exact mutualcontrol by the user and the authorities, the machine itself as well asthe key for fixing the total amount, or prepayment key, are providedwith a counting mechanism which continually registers the number ofrotations of the key and, since each rotation of the key corresponds toa definite fixed amount, the particular total prepaid amount can beascertained. The registering devices of this kind hitherto employed onlyallow of the registration of the number of equal prepaid amounts and nottheir actual sum, so that the final determination of the consumption ofvalue marks always necessitates a calculation-4. e., a multiplication.Moreover, these registering devices can be used only in value-stampingmachines which can only stamp continually equal values and for which thefixing of the total prepaid sum can only be car ried out by means of anumber of definite units.

In contradistinction to this, the subject matter of the invention ischaracterized by the feature that the fixing of the consumption limit,as well as the summation of the values determining it, is efiectedalways in accordance with the actual amount, in an adding mechanism ofthe valuestamping machine itself as well as in the adding mechanism ofthe prepayment key; it being immaterial whether the gradual consumptionof the prepaid amount is caused by stampings of larger or smallervalues. The setting of the valuemark printing mechanism to a larger orsmaller amount can, in fact, be altered as desired after each dulycompleted stamping, so that the limit of consumption is also determinednot by the number of stampings but by the values stamped.

The machine is used as followsz-After being set to the prepaid amount,it is placed upon the article to be stamped-e. g. a letter or a cardandis moved forward by hand or mechanically when the drum shaped printingmechanism of the machine rolls on the article through the distance thatis necessary for performing a complete stamping operation, whereupon itis locked against further movement. To perform a fresh stampingoperation, the machine must first be lifted from the stamped article,whereupon it becomes ready for further use. -After the prepaid amount isexhausted, the printing mechanism drum is locked by a second lockingdevice which liberates the printing mechanism drum only after themachine is set for a further prepaid amount.

l'he particular value for which the machine is set is printed by meansof the drum-shaped printing mechanism as follows:The number.representing the value is located horizontally in its frame and in thisway it is rendered possible for the number-printing wheels of thevalueprinting mechanism or mechanisms to be mounted on one or two shaftswhich are arranged in the proximity of the casing of the printingmechanism drum as chords to this casing. The printing of the figures ofthe value-printing wheels which are at the time being in the printingposition, is effected as the result of this arrangement on rotation ofthe printing mechanism drum not simultaneously but successively in thedirection ofthe rolling movement, so that the value figure is located,after a stamping operation, parallel to the upper and lower edges of thestamped surfacei. e., horizontally in its frameand can consequently beeasily read without error.

For altering the setting of the value-printing mechanism all the settingmembers (setting wheels or levers) of the setting device on the lefthandside of the value-stamping apparatus, are

moved together from their ordinarily assumed locked position by means ofa special setting member and then again returned together into the lastmentioned position.

Various examples of the invention are represented by the accompanyingdrawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 2, is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view, and

Fig. 5, is a front elevational view of a valuestamping machine, whichmay be used as a franking machine, for printing one or two-figurevalues.

Figs. 6 to 17a represent an example of a valuestamping machine for usein printing four-figure values, of these:

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken on line 6--6 of Figure 2, showingthe value-stamping apparatus;

Fig. '7 is a rear view of the main adding mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view ofthe main adding mechanism;

Fig. 9a is a detail sectional view taken on line Sic-9a of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a side view, Fig. 10a, a front view and Fig. 10b, a partiallongitudinal section on 5 line 10b-10b of Fig. 10 of the setting key;

Fig. 11, a partial perspective back view 01 the value-stampingapparatus;

Fig. 12, a detail sectional view taken on line 12--12 of Fig. 13,showing the locking device for locking the drum against rotation, asseen from the right;

Figs. 12a and 12b are fragmentary perspective views of certain detailsof this locking device in two difierent positions of operation;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 1313 of Fig. 12, showing thelocking device;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary top plan of the printing mechanism drum andcertain gear parts pertaining thereto;

Fig. 14a is a detail sectional view taken on line 14a14a of Fig. 14showing the printing mechanism;

Fig. 15, a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 14, as seen from theright of the apparatus;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the inking roller and adjacent elements;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary rear elevational view,

Fig. 17a is longitudinal section of the inking device taken on line17a-17a of Fig. 16.

Figs. 18 to 39show the setting device of such a value-stamping apparatusin two modifications, of these:

Fig. 18' shows a vertical cross-section on line 1818 of Fig. 35 of theprinting mechanism drum and the setting device of a value-stampingmachine provided with setting wheels;

Fig. 19 is a top plan view of a printed stamp;

Fig. 20, a vertical section on line 2020 of Fig. 35 through the printingmechanism drum with a partly broken away toothed chain casing;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detail of the valueprinting mechanism;

Fig. 22 is a partial longitudinal section on line 22-22 of Fig; 20 ofthe toothed chain casing;

Fig. 23, the side view of the setting device with a part of the hoodshown in section;

Fig. 24 shows the back view (cut away at the lower half and shown insection), as seen in the direction of movement of the value-stampingapparatus, of the setting device or a second example fitted with settinglevers;

Fig. 25, shows the side view (cut away at the upper half and shown insection) 0! the same example;

Fig. 26 is a detail of the setting device;

Figs. 27 and 28 show outer and inner views respectively of thevalue-printing mechanism with parts thereof in section;

Figs. 29 and 30 are details of the value-printing mechanism.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken on line 31-31 of Fig. 34, showing thesetting device and toothed chain casing;

Fig. 32 is a sectional view taken on line 32--32 01 Fig. 34;

Fig. 33 shows detail views of the chain teeth;

Fig. 34 is a top plan, partly in section of the cutting device andtoothed chain casing;

Fig. 35 is a plan of the value-stamping apparatus according to Fig. 18;

Fig. 36 is a left-hand side view of the same value-stamping apparatuswith the left-hand side wall in section; 5 Fig. 37 is a side view of thelocking device 19:

the value adjustment a part of the hood being shown in section;

Fig. 38 is a partially cut-away left-hand side view of the printingmechanism drum; and

Fig. 39 is a further detail thereof.

Figs. 40 and 41 show different details of the example illustrated byFigs. 1 to 5:

Fig. 40 shows a partial side view 01' the printing mechanism drum, and

Fig. 41 is a corresponding under view partly in section;

Fig. 42 shows a partially cut-away side view of the printing addingmechanism of the example;

Fig. 43 is a corresponding plan partly broken away, and

Fig. 44 is a plan of the operating drum;

Figs. 45 to 48 show details of the printing adding mechanism.

Figs. 1 to 5 are about of the actual size; Figs. 6 to 18 show the actualsize; Figs. 18 to 33, 38 and 42 to 48 are on an enlarged scale; andFigs. 34

to 37, 40 and 41 show the actual size.

General All the examples of the value-stamping machine have a box-likecasing a which is closed on its left-hand side by a lid 0 secured byscrews b. At its upper edge the lid 0 is provided with an attachment dhollowed out in the form of a spoon which serves for the insertion ofthe thumb-oi the right hand whilst to the right-hand side of the casinga there is secured an oblique bracket e beneath which the tips of theother four fingers can engage. On its under side the casing a has as aseparate unit which can, by pressing on a' lock button m, be readilyremoved from the casing-for example, for the purpose or refilling itwith ink.

The casing lid c bears on its outside the setting device it which can beused for setting the machine to the desired stamp value and isdiflerently constructed for the several examples. In the case of theexample for printing two-place values according to Figs. 1-5. 39 and 40,the setting device has two setting levers 01 and 02, the former of whichserves for setting the machine for units and the second for setting itfor tens. The setting of these setting levers can, however, be eflectedonly if a locking lever p be pressed downwards. When setting has beeneffected, the locking lever p is again moved upwards and so locks thelevers 01 and 02 in their new positions. The setting devices ot theremaining examples will be described in detail hereinafter.

The interior arrangement of all the examples are substantially the same;except for diflerences specially emphasized or certain singly dealt withconstructions.

The printing mechanism drum Into the casing In (Figs. 6 and 11) of thevaluestamping machine there isinserted (as seen from above) arectangular supporting frame 2a which serves as a bearing ror an axle3a. A drum Gil 7 of the operating wheel 14 a.

shaped printing mechanism 4a (Figs. 6, 14 and 15) is rotatably mountedon the axle 3a. The surface of this drum shaped printing mechanism isprovided with, for example, a set of printing devices, partly variableand partly permanent or invariable is provided on each half of theperiphery of the drum, whichprotrudes from anaperture in the bottom ofthe casing In. On the drum being rolled on an article laid thereunder,for example a letter or postcard, an impression of one set of theprinting devices will be printed on the article at each hal'frevolutionof the drum. The invariable printing =devices serve, for example, forprinting the name of the place, the post ofiice mark, the apparatusnumber and certain trade inscriptions or figures, whilst the variableprinting devices of each set consist of a value-printing mechanism 9aand a printing adding mechanism 10a which serves to sum up theindividual amounts represented by the individual stampings and to printthe sum continuously. The shaft 11a shown in Fig. 14

supports two printing adding mechanisms 10a,

the shaft 11a being broken away and a single printing adding mechanismbeing illustrated. Each of the. two adding mechanisms 10w is composed ofa number of number-printing wheels 12a (Figs. 14 and 14a)v which arerotatable on a shaft 11a connecting together the two drum ends 7a (Fig.14a) and 8a (Fig. 14) so that the numbers to be printed, protrudeoutside the casing of the drum through a transverse slot in the casing.Of the number-printing wheels 12a of each adding mechanism 10a; thenumber print ing wheel 12a, for example, of the highest number position,is connected with a hollow shaft 1311 (Fig. 14a) which is pushed on theshaft 11a, passes through the righthand (inrelation to the direction ofworking of the value-stamping machine) drum end 7a and carries on itsfree outer end two operating wheels 14a (Figs 14, 14a and 15) each ofwhich has five teeth. These are displaced in relation to each other insuch a manner that the teeth of the one operating wheel lie opposite tothe teeth gaps of the other operating wheel. With the particulardoubleoperating wheel of these two pairs of operatingwheels thereco-operates, under conditions hereinafter to be explained, a' somewhatlarger counter-wheel 14 a, the shaft 16a of which (Figs. 6, 8, 9 and 15)is rotatable in the rear portion of the supporting frame 2a. A leafspring 18a (Fig. 15) fixed to the rear transverse yoke 15a of thesupporting frame 211 lays itself in the teeth gaps of the counter-wheel14 a and acts like a brake so that the wheel 14 a ordinarily remains inits normal position. On a journal 21a, mounted in the bow-shaped upperend of the upwardly extending arm 1911 (Figs. 14, 15, 6, 8

and 9) of the supporting frame 2a, there is rotatably mounted adouble-armed lever a which a tension spring 22a constantly seeks to keepin the position shown in Fig. 15 but which, however, in opposition tothe action of this spring normally assumes a position in which itengages with its hook-shaped end 23a the next tooth The oppositelyforked end of the lever 20a serves for mounting a running wheel-24awhich is rotatable about an axle 25a and on rotation of the printingmechanism drum 4a rolls on the edge 5a of the righthand drum end 7a inwhich there are formed two flat edge recesses 119a (Fig. 15). As soon asthe running wheel 24a falls into one or the other of the recesses 119a,the lever 20a can spring 36a bearing against the disc 31a.

next tooth of the counter-wheel 14 a and again renders its rotationimpossible. The object of this arrangement will be explainedhereinafter.

The prepayment settin'g The shaft 16a (Figs. 8, 9 and 15)' of thecounter-wheel 14 11 has in proximity to the middle thereof a toothedwheel 26a, which is in engagement with a toothed wheel 27a mounted atright angles thereto. The shaft 28a of this second toothed wheel 27a isrotatable in bearings 29a and 30a- (Figs. 8 and 9) of the rearsupporting frame yoke 15a and carries on its outer end a disc 31a, whichis formed on the edge of its front left-handisurface (according to Figs.6, 8 and 9) with ten notches 32a. On the free outer end there is pusheda setting knob 33a which is both rotatable and longitudinallydisplaceable on the shaft 28a but is normally pressed rearwardlyi. e.,to the right according to Figs. 6, 8 and 9by a compression This settingknob 33a is provided with a pointer 37a (Figs. 7 and 8). the hook-shapedend of which can, by the action of the compression spring 36a be'broughtto lie in one or other of the notches 32a in accordance with the settingof the knob 33a. I

The setting knob 33a has on its rear surface an extension 34a in theform of a polygon which lies-at a small distance behind an opening 71a(Figs. 11 and 6) formed in the locking flap 70a (Fig. 11) of the machinecasing 1a and is accessible through this opening. The opening 71a is,however, advantageously normally kept locked by a slide, lid or the likewhich can be opened after the removal of any desired lock. The shaft 28aterminates in a. round head 35a (Fig. 7) which rests in a correspondingbore in the setting knob 33a, 34a and is provided with a depression 35 ain the form of a polygon.

Between the bearings 29a (Figs. 8 and 9) and the notched disc 3111 thereis provided a second notched disc 38a which agrees in shape and sizewith the notched disc 31a but is, however, freely rotatable about theshaft 28a; its notches 40a face the notched disc 31a and it is rigidlyconnected with a toothed wheel 41a on the side opposite to the notchedside. This notched wheel 41a serves, in the manner hereinafterexplained, for driving the so-called main adding mechanism 43a (Figs. 6to 9) which is arranged parallel tothe shaft 1611 on an axle 47a mountedin shoulders 45a and 46a of the supporting frame yoke 15a. The drivingof the main adding mechanism 43a is effected by a toothed wheel 48awhich is fixed on the axle 47a and which, through the medium of anintermediate toothed wheel 49a, is set from the toothed wheel 41a of thenotched disc 38a. The intermediate toothed wheel 49a rotates about anaxle 50a (Figs. '7 and 9) of the bearing 29a carried by the sup portingframe yoke 15a.

Opposite to the main adding mechanism is the prepaid amount orprepayment indicating device which consists of a roller a (Figs. 7 and 9rigidly fixed to the counting mechanism axle 47a. This roller 55a bearson its surface the numbers "100", 200", and so on up to 1000 forexample, and is rigidly connected, on the face which is turned away fromthe main adding mechanism 43a, with a locking cog-wheel 125a whichpossesses two teeth 1260 for each number borne by the roller 550. One ormore than two teeth may be provided for each number borne by the roller55a. The essential point is that the number of the teeth 126a, isdivisible by the number of numbers borne by the roller 55a. With thelocking cog-wheel 1251: there cooperates a flat locking rod 121a, whichis normally pressed into the teeth gaps of the locking cog-wheel 125a bya compression spring 124a acting on a pin 122a of the locking rod 121a.The locking rod 121a passes through a slot in the outer supporting frameshoulder 46a and the casing 1a and is provided on its outer end with aknob 123a by means of which it can when necessary be pulled back so asto liberate the locking cog-wheel 125a. As soon as this takes place, aspiral spring 56a, which is fixed by one end to the counting mechanismaxle 47a and by the other to the inner bearing 46w, automaticallyreturns the prepayment indicating device 55a into its zero positionafter it (the spring 56a) has previously been more or less stressed onthe setting of the prepayment indicating device.

In contradistinction to the prepayment indicating device which isrotatable in both directions, the main adding mechanism 43a can only beoperated in one direction, so that the amount added thereby can pnlycontinue to be increased.

In order to prevent the main adding mechanism from being operatedfurther with the fraudulent intention of reaching its maximum capacityand re-setting it to zero and then setting it to a new lower amount, thehighest place unit wheel 43 0 (Fig. 9a) is rigidly connected with alocking disc 4411, the ten notches 44 a of which can co-operate with abell-crank locking lever 51a. This lever is rotatably mounted on thecasing of the main adding mechanism 43a or on an extension of orattachment to the supporting frame 2a and is so acted upon by a spring52a that it is continually pressed, with its locking catch 54a, througha recess 42a (Fig. 15) of the casing and against the locking disc 44a.By pressing on the knobshaped end 53a (Figs. 9 and 9a) of the lockinglever 51a, its locking catch 54a can be withdrawn from the particularnotch 44 a of the locking disc 44a occupied thereby, this, however, canonly be done by the oilicial who is provided with an unlocking devicefor the locking flap 70a (Fig. 11).

The particular setting both of the main adding mechanism 43a and of theprepayment indicating device 55a can be read off through a window 570 or58a (Figs. 11 and 6) provided in the casing in. The setting of bothcounting mechanisms is effected by means of a setting key 5911 (Figs.10, 10a and 10b) which is itself constructed as the control countingmechanism andis to this end furnished in its hollow interior with anadding mechanism that is known per se. The figure wheels of this addingmechanism are rotatable on an axle 60a the free end of which isstraightedged or square shaped and fits exactly into the depression 35 a(Fig. 7) of the head 35:: forming the end of the shaft 2841 (Figs. 7 to9) The front end of the setting key 59a is in the form of a clutch 62a(Figs. 10 and 10a) by means of which (Figs. 7 to 9) of the setting knob33a, the straight edged or square shaped axle end 61a (Fig. 10)

being at the same time pushed home into the depression 35 a. Like themain adding mechanism 43a, the control counting mechanism of the settingkey 59a is also provided with a locking device, which prevents anyattempted further operation of its highest place figure wheel 59 a. Thisfigure wheel 59 a (Fig. 10b) of the key adding mechanism is to this endfirmly connected with a locking disc 65a, the notches 66a of whichco-operate with a spring-controlled locking rod 67a movable in the endwall of the key casing. Access to this locking rod is ordinarily cut offby a head 63a which is suitably detachably fixed on the rear end of thesetting key 59a and serves as a mount for the compression spring 68athat acts upon the locking rod 67a. The particular setting of the keyadding mechanism, that can be operated in only one direction, may beread 011 through a lateral window 64a of the setting key.

The locking device for the printing mechanism drum The printingmechanism drum 4a (Figs. 6 and 14) is provided on its left end wall Ba(in relation to the direction of operation of the value-stampingmachine) with stop pins 8% the number of which corresponds to the numberof sets of printing devices that are provided at the wall of theprinting mechanism drum since in the example represented the printingmechanism drum carries two sets of printing devices, two stop pins 8 aare accordingly fixed to the drum end 8a. These stop pins 8 a serve forlimiting the rolling movement of the printing mechanism drum 4a in sucha manner that at any time only one set of the printing devices arrivesin the printing position. To this end the following arrangement isprovided: In an extension 74a (Figs. 6, 12 and 13) of the supportingframe 211 there is fixed a shaft 76a on which a bell-crank lever 79a, ais mounted so as to be rotatable in the space between the supportingframe 20, and the left-hand drum end 8a. A tension spring 75a constantlytends to press the arms of this bell-crank lever downwards. The lowerarm 80a of the bell-crank lever 79a, 800 has its end portion 77a formedlike a sledge runner and the end of its upper arm 79a is in the form ofa laterally bent out locking catch '78:: which can under the action ofthe tension spring 75a be caused to enter alternately two edge recesses6a of the drum end 8a. On the arm 80a of the bell-crank lever 79a, 80athere is rotatably mounted a small locking lever 81a (Figs. 12, 12a and12b) which can co-operate by means of a tappet 81 a with thecorresponding nose 86a on a second locking lever a. The locking lever81a is rotatable about a shaft 81" a mounted on the arm 80a and is actedupon by a tension spring 83a which constantly tends to move itupwards-i. e., in the clockwise direction. This rotation is, howeverlimited by a shorter arm 84a of the locking lever 81a encountering astop pin 82a of the arm 8011. The locking lever 85a is rotatable about ashaft 85 a which is carried by the bow-shaped end of a downwardextension 88a (Figs. 6, 12, 12a, 12b and 13) of the supporting frame 2a.The locking lever 85a is also normally drawn upwards by a tension spring87a until its double-edged stop nose 86a comes to lie against a stop pin88%: (Figs. 12 and 12a) of the frame extension- 88a. it can be stuck onthe polygonal extension 34a The sledge-runner shaped arm 80a of thebellcrank lever 79a, 804: carries further an upwardly extending lockingarm 8% (Figs. 6, 12 and 12a) which when the arm 80a is raised, engageswith itsfree end in the slot-shaped recess 91a of a hub 92 a and thusprevents a rotation of the bushing 92a, which is rigidly connected withthe hub 92 a and rotatable on the drum axle 3a. as well as of thesetting segments a (Fig. 6). The object of this arrangement is to renderimpossible a shifting, during the printing operation proper, of thevalue-printing mechanism 9a (Fig. 14) that is adapted to be set by thesetting segments 90a. I

For the purpose of preventing a rotation of the printing mechanism drum4a (Figs. 6, 14 and 15), and consequently, the use of the value-stampingmachine, after the prepaid amount has been used up, there is rotatablymounted, on a shaft 116 a (Fig. 6) on the rear portion 2a, a bell-cranklever 116a, 118a, which is adapted to come to lie with its downwardlyextending arm 118a in front of one or the other of two locking catches117a fixed to the left-hand drum end 8a, but which is thrown back by aspring not shown into its position of rest (Fig. 6) in whichthe catches117a can travel unhindered past the arm 118a.

The inking device The inking of the particular printing devices at anytime being printed with is effected, directly before making each freshimpression, by an inking device which is removably attached by means ofa plate 97a (Fig. 6) to the inside of the front wall of the casing 1aand continually cooperates through the medium of an inking roller 94a(Figs. 6, 16 and 17) with the printing devices of the printing mechanismdrum 4a. The inking roller 94a is carried by two supporting arms 950.which are rotatable about an axle 95 a mounted in bearings of the plate97a and are each continually pressed upwards bya compression spring 96a.The upper portion of the inking device consists of a box-shaped inkreservoir 98a that is provided with a closable filling opening 100a anda cap 101a which has an opening for the purpose of admitting air. In twolateral upwardly extending supporting arms 103a of the ink reservoir 98athere is rotatably mounted a shaft 102a, on one end of which there isfixed a pivoted arm 107a (Figs. 6, 16 and 17) which lies in the plane ofthe drum pins 8 a (Figs. 6 and 14) and is adapted to be adjusted andfixed in position, whilst it (the shaft 102a) carries on its middleportion an arm 10411. On the free end of this arm-104a there is pivoteda valve rod 105a which passes through ing 108a a spreading rib 111a(Fig. 17a) which uniformly spreads the ink dropping thereon over thebottom of the ink trough by means of grooves therein. Finally, a ledge113a (Figs. 1'? and 17a) is also rotatable about the axle 95 0: by meansof lateralsupporting arms and is caused, by the tension of two tensionsprings 11411 to lie permanentlywith its under side upon the inkingroller 94a; this ledge 113a serves to rub the ink fiowing from the inktrough slots a uni-" formly over the whole width of the inking rollerFig, 6 and consequently continually pull both the under side of the inktrough 109a and the rubbing ledge 113a against the inking roller 94a.

The method of using the machine, and its mode of operation The machineisto be used in the following mannerz- The values or control marks, whichcan be printed, on letters or cards by means of both valueprintingmechanisms 91; (Fig. 14) provided in the printing mechanism drum, eachrepresent, according to the value units associated with their respectivefigures, single values the consumption of which up to a definitelimit-i. e., the prepaid amountis to be checked and also finallylimited. The continuous checking of the consumption of value marks isefiected by the printing adding mechanism 10a after the prepaid amountindicationi. e., the permissible limit of consumption of value marks-haspreviously, on setting the machine, been placed so as to be visible inthe prepayment indicating device 5501. At the same time as this placingof the prepayment indication according to its numerical value isefiected, the control counting mechanism of the setting key 59a is alsooperated according to the value amounts up to the limit and summed upthereby. The limiting of the permissible stamp consumption or frankingis effected by a locking device consisting of the operating wheels 14aand 14 a (Fig. 15), the locking lever 20a, the two notch discs 31a and3811 (Figs. 6 to 9), the setting device 33a, 37a and the bell-cranklever 116a, 118a, whilst the main adding mechanism'43a, the prepaymentindicating device 5512 and the control counting mechanism of the settingkey 59a (Fig. 10) serve for taking up the number corresponding to theprepayment amount which is adjusted in each instance.

As already mentioned, the represented example of value-stamping machinecan be used as a postage franking machine which may be left by thepostal authorities with firms and private persons for the purpose offranking their postal communications. In this case, the user must prepayto the postal authorities the total amount that he calculates will coverthe consumption of value marks over a certain period whereupon thepostal authorities will limit the amount of use of the machine by acorresponding adjustment. This is efiected in the following manner 1-The supervising oificial inserts the setting key 59a (Fig. 10) with itsclutch-like front portion 62a through the opening 71a (Figs. 11 and 6)of the locking flap 70a and on the polygonal ex' be such that thelocking flap 70a (Fig. 11) wouldv possess no opening for the insertionof the setting key 5911 but would for this purpose have to be itselfunlocked and raised when necessary. After the setting key 59a has beeninserted on the polygonal extension 34a, the key and the setting knob33a (Fig. 9) are first depressed against the resistance oflered by thecompression spring, when the hook-shaped end of the setting knob pointer37a passes out of the particularnotch 32a of the disc 31a occupiedthereby and into the opposite notch 40a of the disc 38a. If the settingkey 59a is now turned in the clockwise direction, the disc 38a must, inconsequence of the coupling of the setting key with the setting knob33a, 34a and in consequence of the engagement of the setting knobpointer 37a in one of the notches 40a, also take part in the rotation ofthe setting key and transmit it by means of its toothed wheel 41a andthe intermediate toothed wheel 49a (Figs. 6 and 9) to the toothed wheel48a. The toothed wheel 48a drives in the known manner by means of theaxle 47a the figure wheel of the lowest order of the main addingmechanism 43a and moves it, and if desired the figure wheels of higherorder by tens-operating gearing, through the number units set at thetime being on the notched disc 38a. Likewise, the fixed amount istransmitted by the axle 47a to the prepayment indicating device 55apreviously set to zero. In the case of the example of the inventionrepresented by the drawings, the number units 1 to "10 of the twonotched discs 31:! and 38a correspond according to value to the figuresprovided on the highest place figure wheels 12% (Figs. 14 and 14a) ofeach of the printing adding mechanisms 10a. If these figures representfor example the hundreds units of the amount summed up by the printingadding mechanism 100,- the same is the case with the number unitsof thetwo notched discs 31a and 38a-i. e'., on setting the notched disc 310there will be transmitted both into the prepayment indicating device 55aand to the figure discs of the lowest order of the main adding mechanismonly hundreds units-e. g., hundred dollar amounts. Since on each suchoperation the locking rod 121a co-operating with the locking toothedwheel snaps in behind another tooth 126a, the prepayment indicatingdevice 55a always takes up a position corresponding to the particularamount paid and shows this amount in the window 58a (Fig. 11) of thecasing 141. The main adding mechanism 43a (Figs. 6 to 9) is constructedas a so-called stroke-counteri. e., it is operated only in the additivesense and thus always indicates the number limits up to which thevalue-stamping machine can print value or check'marks,- taking intoaccount all earlier payments. The prepayment device 55a can, however, beoperated both in an additive sense and ma subtractive sense. When theprepayment indicating device'55a is operated in the additive sense, themain additive mechanism 43a is caused positively to take part in thisoperation by the common axle 47a, whilst on the subtractive operation ofthe prepayment indicatingdevice 5511, the setting at the time being ofthe main adding mechanism 43a remains unchanged in consequence of itsconstruction as strokecounter. The subtractive operation of theprepayment indicating device 55a is automatically eflected, as alreadystated, after the withdrawal of the locking rod 1210. by e spiral spring56a which returns it into the z ro position, whereby the last paid inamount is cancelled for the purpose of enabling the machine to be set toa newly paid in amount. On setting the machine to the newly paid inamount, the operattons hereinbefore described are repeated.

The operation of the control counting mechanism arranged in the settingkey 59a (Fig. 10) is eflected as follows: 7

When the value-stamping machine is in the condition of rest, the lockinglever wheel 240. (Fig. 15) lies on the unbroken part of the drum edgeand in this way forces the locking lever 20a. to engage with itshook-shaped end 23a one of the teeth of the counter-wheel 14 a and thusto lock the latter against rotation. Consequently, the shaft 16a (Figs.6, 8 and 9) of the counter-wheel 14 a and the toothed wheel 26a fixed tothe said shaft 16a, as well as the toothed wheel 27a and its shaft 28a,are prevented from rotating. Since, on inserting the setting key 59a. onthe extension 34a of the setting knob 33a. the counting mechanism axle60a (Fig. 10) of the setting key is rigidly coupled with the shaft 28aby its engagement in the depression 35%: (Fig. 17 in the shaft head 35a,the axle 60a. (Fig. 10) cannot, on the setting of the machine to the newprepaid amount by the corresponding rotation of the setting key, takepart in the rotational movement of the setting key but remains at resttogether with the shaft 28a (Figs. 7 to 9). The result of the rotationpf the setting key 590 (Fig. 10) in relation to its fixed axle 6011 isthat the control counting mechanism arranged in the setting key isoperated simultaneously and to the same extent as the main addingniechanism 43a of the value-stamping machine that is stationarilymounted and is driven by the rotation of the counting mechanism axle 47a(Figs. 8 and 9). The numbers that are visible in the window 64a (Fig.10) of the setting key 59a and in the window 57a (Fig. 11) of the casing1a. represent the total amount received or paid for which each apparatushas been set. Fraudulent shifting of the main adding mechanism 43a aswell as of the control counting mechanism arranged in the setting key59a is, as already explained above, prevented by the locking devicesshown in Figs. 9a and 10b respectively which allow the further movementof the high place figure wheel of each of the two adding mechafor thepurpose of enabling the machine to be reset to zero when necessary-e.g., when the value-stamping machine is given over to a new user.

After the setting of the machine to a new prepaid amount is completed,the setting key 59a is withdrawn from the setting knob 33a, 34a (Figs. 7to 9) and the coupling between the shaft 28a and the axle 60a, 61a (Fig.10) of the setting key is thus discontinued. The setting knob 33a, 34ais immediately returned by the actionof the compression spring 36a(Figs. 8 and 9) into its position of rest with the result that thehook-shaped end of the setting knob pointer 37a leaves the notch 40a ofthedisc 3811 up to then occupied thereby and is placed in the exactlyopposite notch 32a of the disc 31a. The notched disc 38a, up to thentaken with the setting knob pointer 37a, has in the meantime been lockedagainst rotating backwards since it is integrally connected by thetoothed gearing 41a, 49a, 48a as well as the shaft 47a with theprepayment indicating device 55a, which is secured against unintentionalbackward rotation by the locking rod 121a. Finally, the lid opening 71a(Fig. 11) is locked and the lock secured.

The value-stamping machine prepared in this way can now be used by itsuser up to the fixed limit--i. e., until the exhaustion of the prepaidamount-for franking articles to be posted or for whatever other purposefor which the machine is intended. If the user places the machine on thesurface to be stamped-e. g., a letter-the sledge-like runners 77a (Figs.6, 12, 12a

' around its pivot pin 760 the locking lever 81a mounted on the arm 80acomes into the path of I a pin 8% mounted on the bottom 80 of the drum(see Fig. 14), sothat this pin, during the further rotation of the drum,that is during the rolling on the surface-to be stamped, graduallyswings the'locking lever 81a downwards out of. the position shown inFig. 12a into that shown in Fig. 121) in the manner hereinafterdescribed and for the purpose hereinafter set forth. By the raising ofthe bell-crank lever arm 79a, 80a, the locking arm 890 has at the sametime also been 'raised and pushed into the hub recesses 91a (Fig-12) ofthe setting segments 90a (Fig. 8) so that both value-printing mechanisms9a (Fig. 14) are secured against any. shifting during the next ensuingoperation.

On pushing the machine forward by hand or mechanically, the printingdrum4a (Figs. 6, 13, 14 and 15) rolls every time through an angle of180-on the surface to be stamped and in this way effects the printingwith the particular set of the printing devices that comes into questionwhich are distributed over the cylindrical surface of the drum. Within adefinite portion of the'period of rotation of the drum, one of the stoppins 8 a provided on the left-hand drum end 80 approaches the lochnglever 81a (Figs. '12, 12a and 12b) and slides along it and in so doingturns it downwards about its shaft 81"a until the tappet 81 11 of thislocking lever encounters the upper edge of the stop nose 86a of thesecond locking lever 85a. Yielding by the locking lever 85a under theaction of the pressure exerted thereon by the tappet 81 1: is impossiblebecause the lower edge of the stop nose 86a abuts against the shaft 88%and further the stop pin 8% of the printing mechanism drum 411 has inthe meantime encountered the second locking lever 85a. The stop pins 8 4and consequently also the printing drum 4a itself are thus in commonstopped from rotating by both locking levers 81a and 85a-so that, theprinting mechanism drum is unable to roll any further. This interruptionof the rolling movement takes place just after all the printing devicespertaining to one set have completed their printing operation and one ofthe two edge recesses 60 (Fig. 6) of the left-hand drum end 8aagaincomes beneath the locking catch 78a of the upper bell crank leverarm 79a.

The further use of the machine is only rendered possible by lifting itfrom the stamped surface after the printing mechanism drum has becomelocked. The bell-crank lever 79a, 80a ,(Figs. 6 and 12) is then returnedinto its position of rest (Fig. 6) by the pressure of the spring 75a,engages with its locking catch 78a in the edge recess 6a of the drum end80 lying directly beneath it and at the same time returns the lockinglever 81a (Fig. 12) mounted on the arms 80a from the position lastoccupied thereby (Fig. 12b) into the position shown in Fig. 12a. 'On itsreturn movement the lever 81a is again freed from the pin 8 0 that hasup to then been resting on it, so that it can be pulled back into itsposition of rest (Fig. 12) by the pull of its spring 830. At the sametime its tappet 81 has also again liberated the stop nose 86a of thesecond locking lever, so that the latter no longer offers any resistanceto further movement of the stop pin 8 a. Consequently, if thevalue-stamping machine is now placed upon another surface to be printedand is moved forward, the printing mechanism drumda resumes itsinterrupted rolling movement, when the locking lever 85a is returnedinto its initial position by its spring 87a after being liberated by thestop pin 8 a, whereupon the above described operations are repeated. Thestop pins 8 a in conjunction with the locking lever 81a, 8541, thusproduce the result that the rolling movement of the printing mechanismdrum always remains limited to a definite portion of itscircumference-i. e.,

it takes place for as long'as is necessary to bring' lifting themachine. If, however, the machine is raised before the completion of thepartial rolling of the printing mechanism drum that is necessary forenabling printing to be effected by a complete set of the printingdevices, all the parts are maintained in the position in which theyhappen to be at the moment, since the locking catch 78a of thebell-crank lever 79a, 80a is then resting on the unbroken edge 5a of thedrum end 8a and a return of the bell-crank lever and of the lockinglever 81a mounted thereon into their position of rest is thereforeimpossible. The interrupted stamping must consequently first becompleted. Further, on placing the machine on the surface to be printed,any shifting of the value-printing mechanism 9a. (Fig. 14) is, asalready explained, prevented bythe operation of the locking arm 89::(Figs. 6 and 12) until the rolling movement of the printing mechanismdrum that is necessary for duly performing a stamping operation has beencompleted, whilst on any interrupted stamping operation the locking ofthe value-printing mechanism his continued since in this case thebellcrank lever 79a, 80a which carries the locking arm 89:: does notchange its position.

The figure-printing wheels 12a (Figs. 14 and 14a) of the printing addingmechanism 10a are moved on, as already stated, on each stampingoperation by the particular amount to which the value-printers 9a areset. The possibility of printing value marks with the aid of bothvalue-printers 9a is limited by the size of the prepaid amount indicatedby the prepayment indicating device 55a (Figs.7and9)andsummedupbythemain adding m 43a (Figs. 7 to 9)-as well asby thecontrol counting mechanism of the setting key 59a (Fig. 10). If thisamounts, for rxample, to $800, the machine is no longer usable as soonas the sum of the individual amounts expended by the stamping operationsperformed and summed up by the adding mechanism 10a (Fig.

the purpose of thus enabling it also to be arranged 14) has reached$800. In this case, this limitation of the printing of value marks isbrought about in the following manner: Every time that in the courseofthe stamping operations the consumption of value marks reaches $100, thevalue-printing wheels 12 a (Figs. 14 and 14a) of'each of theadding-mechanisms 10a which register the hundreds units are movedforward one figure.

Naturally, if desired, any other value printing wheel could be connectedwith a hollow shaft for that the corresponding number unit may act as alocking limit. In consequence of the rigid connection, efiected by thehollow shaft 13a, between the value-printing 'wheel'12a and thedoubleoperating wheel 14a, the latter also is in this case turnedforward a tens division, so that instead of the tooth up to thenemployed, a new tooth of this double-operating wheel 14a, but lying onanother plane, is led into the path of the counterwheel 14 a (Fig. 15).Each onward movement of the printing adding mechanism 10a and conmovedinto the operating position, encounters the tooth of the counter-wheel14 a lying in its path and moves the counter-wheel forward a tensdivision. By means of the shaft 160. (Figs. 6 to 9) of the.counter-wheel 14 a the rotation of the latter is transmitted first tothe toothed wheel 26a, then to the toothed wheel 27a engaging with thetoothed wheel 26a and so finally by means of the shaft 28a to thenotched disc 310., so that the latter also is each time moved forward aunit. The rotation of the notched disc 31a takes place in this case,referring to Fig. 11, in the anti-clockwise direction. The step-by-stepoperation of the counter-wheel 14a and of the notched disc 31a isrepeated as many times as number units-for example, hundreds-have beenpaid for-thus in the case chosen as example, 8 times. On the last(eighth) operation, the pointer 37a that naturally travels with thenotched disc 31a strikes at the point indicated by 0 in Fig. 11, thelever arm 116a (Fig. 6). of the bell-crank lever 116a, 118a and swingsit out in such a manner that its locking arm 118a is led into the pathof both locking catches 117 of the drum end 8a and consequently makesthe rolling of the printing mechanism drum 4a impossible. The machine istherefore locked against unlawful use until its next setting. On thenext settingfor example, to a prepaid amount of $500-the pointer 37a isremoved through a corresponding distance-in this case 5 units-from thelever arm 116a and is placed in another notch 32a of the disc 31a, sothat the bell-crank lever 116a,

118a liberated in this way can again be returned into its position ofrest (Fig. 6) by its spring 115a. The machine is consequently now freedfor further use.

As already stated above, the counter-wheel 14 a is normally locked bythe locking lever 20a, 23a (Fig. 15) and is always liberated only at theinstant at which the step-by-step movement of the counter-wheel 14 a andof the notched disc 31a integrally coupled therewith should be effectedto the extent of one hundreds unit. The arrangement of the alreadymentioned edge recesses 119a for the running roller 2 5a-of the lockinglever- 20a, 23a is consequently such that, at the moment when theoperating wheel movement is effected, the running roller 25a is justpassing through one of these recesses'1l9a and the locking lever2011,2311 consequently liberates the counter-wheel 142a. When theoperating wheel movement is completedthe counter-wheel 14 a is againlocked bythe lever20a, 23a.

The device for operating the printing adding mechanism or mechanisms ofthe examplesaccording, to Figs. 18-39.

The printing mechanism .drum 1 (Figs. 18, 20, 36 and 38) isadvantageouslyprovided with two value-.printing mechanisms 30, arrangedat 180 from each other, as well as with two addition printing mechanisms23 which occupy, in relation to the pertinent'value-printing mechanism30, the position shown in Fig. 38. In the remaining figures, for thesake of simplicity and clearness, only a single value-printing mechanismand the pertinent addition-printing mechanism oppo-' site thereto arerepresented.

The printing mechanism drum 1 is rotatable about-an a'xle 2 (Figs. 18,20, 22, 24, 2'5, 34)

rigidly mounted in the frame of the roller stamp,

on which axle a drum-shaped casing 4 of the kind hereinbefore describedis rigidly fixed by means of a screw 5 (Figs. 18, 20) or the like. Theshell of the toothed chain casing 4 is provided with a number oflongitudinal slots 4,, through which theteeth of toothed control chains6 (Figs. 18, 20, 31, 33) or toothed segments 8 (Fig. 22), as the casemay be, project. Each toothed control chain 6 serves for driving one ofthe control wheels 24' (Figs; 18, 20, 38), which effect the adjustmentof the printing wheels 23 of the printing mechanism for the summation.The toothed control chains 6 are constructed as shown in Fig. 33i. e.,they are composed of individual angle members 6", one limb a, b of whichis rotatably connected by a pin 0' with the adjacent member 6". Theforked limb a, b' of the first chain member 6" is rotatably fixed on a.pin d rigidly mounted in the interior of the casing 4 (Fig. 31) whilstthe opposite end of each toothed chain 6 is free. A cam disc 7co-operates with each of these toothed chains 6, which are normally nottensioned in consequence of the aforementioned arrangement, theperiphery of the said cam disc being formed this latter will have allits links pressed with the widened ends of its forked limbs a, b (Fig.33) against the internal surface of the shell of the casing and willthereby be tensioned in a position dependent upon the rotation of thecam disc '7 in such manner, that a corresponding number of its teeth 6'will pass through the slot 4' and will remain immovably in thisposition. The toothed chain can now act as a control member, althoughonly when the control teeth 6' have already been secured in the workingposition by the action of the higher step of the cam disc, whilst theteeth of the chain links 6" lying on the lower step 7" of the cam disccannot effect any controlling

